Chef Elizabeth Falkner

Elizabeth Falkner is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, author, and pioneer of modern American cuisine. She built groundbreaking restaurants in San Francisco and New York, and today works globally in consulting, destination dining, festivals, and culinary events.

Based in Los Angeles, she produced and hosted the documentary Sorry We're Closed, appears regularly on television, and serves on the Board of Trustees of the James Beard Foundation, where she chairs the Awards Committee.

Known for her "Fit to Cook" philosophy, Elizabeth is a champion of strength, movement, and balance — a natural fit for a retreat built around food and Pilates. In 2024, she and her partner Heather Freyer co-founded T'MARO Brands Inc., launching a line of natural spirits crafted with organic California dates.

Chef Ben Ford

Ben Ford is a celebrated chef and restaurateur whose career was forged at Chez Panisse, where he developed a deep commitment to organic, sustainable, ingredient-driven cooking. Early family influences and time living abroad shaped his approach long before he ever stepped into a professional kitchen.

After returning to Los Angeles, he trained at Opus and Campanile before opening Chadwick, which earned a rare three-and-a-half-star review from the Los Angeles Times. In 2004, he helped bring the gastropub movement to the West Coast with Ford's Filling Station in Culver City — now a long-standing LA institution.

Beyond his restaurants, Ben consults for hospitality brands, leads destination dining experiences, and has built travel-based culinary programs around the world. He has served as a culinary ambassador for the U.S. Department of State and appeared on numerous television programs.

Dru Mouser

Dru Mouser is a wellness entrepreneur, Pilates educator, and a force of creativity. She is co-founder and CEO of Village Life Pilates, a Beverly Hills studio known for its athletic reformer method, intentional design, and devoted community. Previously, she co-founded House of Core in Brentwood, helping shape its methodology and culture.

With nearly two decades of experience, Dru blends classical Pilates with modern athletic training and recovery. She has been practicing Pilates since 2007 and holds certifications in Lagree, Holy Fire Reiki, Yin Massage Yoga, and Integrative Health Coaching, with her teaching deeply influenced by years of yoga study under Bryan Kest.

Beyond the studio, Dru develops wellness products, leads retreats, and curates experiences that bring together movement, food, and connection. Her philosophy is simple: wellness is relational — built through presence, consistency, and community.